1967 Matra Jet 6 SS

This 1967 Matra Sports Jet 6 SS is said to have been purchased new by a US soldier stationed in Europe following the 1968 Paris Auto Show and brought to the US. Chassis 30198 subsequently spent time in California and Texas before being relocated to Wisconsin in 1973 and was dismantled upon initiation of a refurbishment project in the late 1970s. The disassembled car was acquired by the current owner in 1999 and brought to the Netherlands, where it was reassembled as part of a multi-year build completed in the early 2000s. The car features fiberglass bodywork fitted over a steel backbone chassis that incorporates a four-wheel independent A-arm suspension with Koni shocks as well as rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes. Power is supplied by an R8 Gordini–sourced 1,255cc Cléon-Fonte inline-four equipped with dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, an aluminum cross-flow cylinder head, and a four-into-one exhaust header. Shifting is through a four-speed manual transaxle, and further equipment includes a Moto-Lita steering wheel, Jaeger instrumentation, low-back bucket seats trimmed in black vinyl, and 13″ Cosmic alloy wheels. This Jet 6 is now offered on consignment by the selling dealer in the Netherlands with correspondence from Matra Sports and a copy of its Certificat de Garantie along with service records, refurbishment photos, and Dutch registration. Developed by French automaker René Bonnet, the Djet was revealed at the Paris Auto Show in 1962 and had the distinction of being the first production rear mid-engined road car. The car’s fiberglass body was manufactured by Matra, which would later absorb Automobiles René Bonnet and continue producing revised versions of the Djet under various names from 1965 through 1967. A later Jet 6 car, this example was produced in 1967 and features ailes Pescarolo flared fiberglass bodywork. The body was removed from the steel backbone chassis prior to the current owner’s acquisition and was repainted in its Jaune Soleil finish as part of the aforementioned refurbishment completed in the Netherlands. H4 headlamps are protected by clear covers and accompanied by Marchal fog lamps up front, while round Seima taillamps are accented by bright surrounds out back. A vented front hood, bullet-style side mirrors, and quarter panel vents are further details. The selling dealer notes that the left headlight cover is cracked. The 13″ Cosmic three-lug alloy wheels are mounted with 175-width Toyo 310 tires, and a matching spare is stored in the front trunk. The car features rack-and-pinion steering and rides on a four-wheel independent A-arm suspension with custom Koni shocks, two of which are fitted at each corner out back. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs, which are said to have been serviced in 2024. The cockpit houses low-back bucket seats trimmed in black vinyl, which extends to the dash surround, center console, and door panels. A map light is affixed to the center stack, and a fire extinguisher is stored ahead of the driver’s seat. Leather straps behind the seats secure the engine cover. The Moto-Lita steering wheel fronts a woodgrain dash housing Jaeger instrumentation including a 125-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 20k miles, approximately 10k of which have been added under current ownership. The 1,255cc Cléon-Fonte inline-four was sourced from the contemporary R8 Gordini. The engine was rebuilt as part of the refurbishment and is fitted with dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, an aluminum cross-flow cylinder head, and a four-into-one exhaust header. An oil change was performed in preparation for the sale. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle. Additional underbody images are provided in the gallery below. Correspondence on Matra Sports letterhead from 1968 notes that Matra Sports Jet 6 serial number 30198 was built in 1967. A copy of the 1968-issued Certificat de Garantie will also accompany the car. Photos taken at various stages of the refurbishment can be viewed in the gallery along with service records, parts catalogs, and other included model literature. The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a country that does not issue titles for road vehicles. It is being sold on its Dutch registration.